Back again, I am . . . ^_^ This is the saga that can't die. *chuckles* I think there's nine chapters in process, all individual stories telling the tale of the WereDen. Other than the obvious use of my and Jill's favorite anime (and other) characters, I have yet to figure out why she called it a fanfiction. Though I put it here, didn't I?
Chapter Three of the Crossroad Stories
A fire crackled merrily in the WereDen Library's fireplace. A black wolf was sprawled out in front of it, snoring faintly. Her head rested on a fat book. A young man sat at the table, pouring over gaming cards.
A girl entered, walked over to the wolf, and tweaked its tail, "Cindy, you're drooling on my book."
"Huh? . . . oh sorry." Cindy rose and stretched, returning to human form. "I'm bored." she yawned.
"Come on, let's go watch Sailor Moon . . . I got another tape."
"New eps?" Cindy asked hopefully.
"Yep."
"Oh goody!" Cindy leapt for the door, returning to wolfling form mid-leap. She paused, "Want to come, Brian?"
Her blue eyed beau looked up. "Nah, I'm building a new magic deck."
Jill thought to herself 'magic's more fun if you have the actual stuff' and smiled.
"Okay . . . don't forget to eat." Cindy said as Jill followed her into the entertainment room.
Cindy curled up on a bean bag while Jill popped the tape into the VCR. Jill settled down on the couch to enjoy the show.
The episodes were from the Sailor Moon R series. The girls watched the new shows with relish.
"Diamond is hot!" Jill murmured.
"Mmm-mm . . ." Cindy answered, "Doesn't Sapphire look like Darien?"
"Yeah . . . too bad they're bad guys."
"Saph's not anymore . . . look."
"Kewlness! Hey, they killed him!!!"
"That's not fair . . . as soon as he becomes a good guy."
"He wouldn't have to die if he were in the crossroads . . ." Jill hinted.
"That's an idea. Why don't we go there, visit the scouts . . ."
"And save Sapphire!" Jill finished. "Does it have enough magic?"
Cindy did a quick calculation in her head, "It should."
"Okay, lets go!" Jill traced the outline of a door, bowed to her friend, "After you."
Cindy trotted through the doorway, as she touched the sidewalk she felt her magic begin to ebb away. "I was wrong!" She howled and jumped at Jill.
Jill was halfway through the door when the black wolf slammed into her. The impact knocked her back into the WereDen and broke her concentration. The portal closed and there was silence.
After Cindy hit Jill she bounced back onto the sidewalk. She watched the doorway fade from sight and noticed a strange feeling she had.
It was hauntingly familiar, from her old life . . . it was silence in her head. No thoughts or emotions, other than her own. "Jill!" she tried to yell, all she heard was a sharp bark. 'I've lost my voice!' she thought, 'What kind of magic does this place have?'
"Here dog, nice dog." Malicious laughter came from behind her. She turned to face three rough-looking teenagers trying to corner her.
Cindy's fur bristled, her ears laid back. She bared her teeth in a snarl and stiffened her back and legs. A memory floated in her head, of her and Buffy playing. She always won against the dog because she was bigger, stronger, and more agile. She wasn't that now, but she was faster than the boys, she turned tail and ran. They began to chase her.
Cindy turned a corner and recognized Serena's favorite arcade across the street. She could see Darien out front talking to Andrew.
Horns blared as she flung herself into traffic. The screeching tires threw her into a panic. She could see Darien and Andrew watching the commotion. Darien was heading to the street, flagging the cars to stop.
She dashed to him, ignoring everything else, even a car that hadn't quite stopped. She ran right into it smashing her shoulder against the bumper.
The pain was indescribable, she could not put weight on that leg at all. Her wing, once folded invisibly in her fur, hung limp. Darien stooped to carefully pick her up, "Cindy?" She whined in reply.
"Andrew, I'll see you later . . . I'm going to take this girl to the vet."
"All right, hope she's okay."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seph walked into the entertainment room to find Jill picking herself up off the floor. "What happened?" He asked helping her up.
"I'm not sure . . . I guess there wasn't enough magic to support our powers in Sailor Moon's Dimension. Cindy knocked me back here so we wouldn't get trapped."
"So she's still there?"
Jill nodded, "I have to find a way to keep our powers there . . . so we can save Sapphire."
"Sapphire? Who's that?"
"A good guy . . . he's supposed to die there. Cindy and I didn't think it was fair."
"Mmm-hmm . . ."
"Jealous again Sephy-poo?" Jill looked at him slyly.
"Not really, you survived that Joe-person being here. Do you think Cindy's database would hold any useful information?"
"It might." Jill and Seph sat down in front of the computer and began to sort through Cindy's files.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What a strange animal." The vet repeated. He had said it so often Cindy began to tremble in paranoia.
Darien rubbed her ears to soothe her. "I know, I know." He sighed. "But is she okay?"
"She dislocated her shoulder and badly bruised the muscle. I'll fix her up and you two can be on your way. Unless you would like her to stay overnight . . ."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Soon they were on their way. White bandages stood out from Cindy's black fur as she limped alongside Darien. Her wolfish instincts sensed danger, everywhere.
"What are you doing here?" Cindy whined, then barked quickly and whined again. They walked to Darien's apartment building and go on the elevator. "Can't you talk?" Cindy shook her head and whined again.
Darien opened the door to his apartment, holding it so Cindy could slip inside.
Following her in, he flopped on the couch, and ran his fingers through his hair.
Cindy rested her head on his knee, the TV shows never showed him like this. His hand dropped down and began to scratch behind her ear. She sighed happily forgetting herself in the blissful feeling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You wouldn't have thought this database would be so disorganized!" Jill cried.
"Well, it probably makes sense to her."
Jill leaned against Seph, "But I'm not her, and she's not here to help me." She whined glancing at him, then at the computer screen. "GRR!!!" she growled and clawed at the screen.
Seph half-laughed, "What was that for?"
A sheepish look crossed Jill's face, "Cindy always does it, I was seeing if it would help."
Seph sighed, then began to rub Jill's ever tense shoulders. "Are there any better ways to do this?"
Jill leaned against him again and nuzzled his arm. Suddenly she sat straight up, "I just got a BRILLIANT idea!!!!"
"What?" He asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Walking to the center of the room, Jill drew a deep breath. "SIRIUS!" she yelled.
"Hmm, good idea."
The computer beeped and the screen began to flash. "Why's it doing that?" Jill wondered, walking over.
As she sat down, the e-mail server opened, "The Fubar???"
A new message appeared in the in-box, the subject was "You called?" from Sirius. Jill opened the message.
"Jill, obviously there are a few tricks that you don't know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien's hand fell, looking up Cindy saw he had fallen asleep. Standing up, she walked over to the balcony door and pushed it open with her nose. Once outside, she propped herself up against the rail and looked at the city below.
A huge black crystal marred the center of the city. 'He'll die soon, I must get to Sapphire before it's too late.' Glancing back into the apartment, she whined. 'But Darien must be exhausted, I can't wake him up.' Dropping down to all fours, she trotted back into the apartment and jumped onto the couch. She laid her head in Darien's lap and fell asleep.
Light was streaming in the windows when she awoke on the foot of Darien's bed.
He had carried her there in the night. He lay beside her, still in his clothes.
She stood and walked up to his face. She sniffed in his ear and licked his cheek. Still asleep, he brushed her away and she whined.
Darien rolled over and Cindy began to paw at his shoulder. He started to wake up and Cindy barked. "What? Oh . . . Cindy . . ."
She pawed his shoulder again, then ran to the door. Darien found her clawing the door. "Hey, stop, I'll let you out." He opened the door and she dashed out. "Cindy, wait!" He yelled but she was already gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jill, where's Cindy? I thought you two were watching TV, then I heard you yell . . ." Brian walked in from the library.
Jill whirled around, then looked to the floor. "She's in Sailor Moon's Dimension." Jill replied innocently.
"Can't you bring her back?"
"I would if I could, but I can't . . ."
"Can't what?"
"Find her."
"YOU LOST MY GIRLFRIEND!?!"
"Um . . . Uh . . . maybe."
"We're working on it, Brian." Seph interrupted. "That's why Jill called Sirius, he's gonna give her the info she needs."
Jill nodded vigorously. "I'm going to sorceress school."
"Jill!" the screen flashed, she turned back to look at it. It glowed brightly, forcing Seph and Brian to look away.
Slowly the light faded, "Man, I wish school would've been that easy!" Jill muttered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy ran along the sidewalk, acknowledging the rest of the world only when crossing the streets. Ahead of her, she could see Catsy, Birdie, Prisma, and Avery. 'That means, Sapphire . . . YES! Across the street.' Cindy watched Sapphire stumble into the alley then turned to look at the sisters.
They hadn't seen him! They were supposed to have seen him, it's the way it was.
Barking frantically she ran up to them, begging them to follow her.
They hesitated, a black wolf does not instill trust in a person. 'Oh Lassie, where are you when I need you?' A few licks on the hand and rolling on her back twice finally gained their trust. They began to follow her.
She found Sapphire in the park, unconscious and badly hurt. She followed the sisters as they took Sapphire to their apartment.
After he woke up, Prisma went into the room alone to speak with him. Cindy knew he would leave soon and she must be with him. Already, her wolfish instincts sensed his change of heart.
With a whine, she pawed at the door to his room. "Shh!" Birdie scolded, "Leave them alone, what-ever-your-name-is, they need some time alone."
Cindy got an idea, quickly searching the apartment, she found a piece of paper and a pen. Clamping the pen tightly in her mouth, she placed a paw on the paper and began to write.
Catsy saw her first, "Hey, you guys, look!" The three sisters watched in surprise as Cindy struggled to write legibly . . .
I AM CINDY I MUST STAY WITH SAPPHIRE.
"Why?"
HE IS TO DIE I MUST SAVE HIM
"Can you do that? Are you able to save him?"
DON'T KNOW, MUST TRY, DON'T TELL HIM
Dropping the pen, Cindy scratched at Sapphire's door again, watching the sisters intently. Prisma opened the door from the inside, letting Cindy in. Cindy eased herself onto the bed as Sapphire watched her carefully.
"This is the dog that brought us to you." Cindy growled a bit at being called a dog, but lightly licked Sapphire's hand.
Sapphire patted her head, then fought to get to his feet. "I must get to Diamond before it's too late."
"Oh Sapphire, I don't want you to go . . . I'm afraid . . ." Cindy turned away, the scene was not hers to watch in person.
Sapphire went to the door and Cindy leapt from the bed, placing herself at his side. He opened the door and walked past the other sisters with Cindy at his eels. "Stay with them, dog." He ordered.
Birdie looked up. "Please let Cindy go with you, she want's to protect you."
Sapphire looked at her, then at Cindy and sighed. "All right, come on."
He sometimes leaned against her for support, as they walked along. Cindy was ready for anything though she knew the only threat would be Wiseman.
They turned the corner, meeting up with Wicked Lady.
"Rini!" Sailor Moon yelled as the Sailor Scouts appeared. Sailor Mars and Sailor
Jupiter took their places near Sapphire, covering him.
"Cindy? What are you doing here?" Sailor Jupiter asked. Cindy tried to answer, but without magic, only managed barks and whines. The girls stared at her in surprise then talked with Sapphire.
"You go help your friends, I must talk with my brother." He stumbled forward into the center of the street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jill stood and walked past Brian, he murmured to her. "You're going to bring her back?"
With a grin, Jill nodded. She traced the outline of a doorway on the wall. The line shimmered and an opening of light appeared. Quickly she spoke another incantation and an aura of light surrounded her and faded. She sauntered over to Seph, "Be right back, Sephypoo." Jill gave him a quick kiss on the lips and turned away.
A look of pleasant surprise crossed Seph's face, then he followed her. "I'm coming with you . . ." Jill nodded, then stepped through the doorway with Seph at her heels.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy spotted Wiseman as he materialized behind Diamond, a snarl marred her face as she saw him. She prepared to attack . . . A blast of green light knocked her away. AS she tumbled across the pavement she could hear Sapphire's scream. 'NO!' she yelled, finding her feet. She launched herself at sapphire as Wiseman let off another blast. Again the green light knocked her away.
She rose again, Sapphire lay on the ground, sided by Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect him . . ." Darien spoke.
"Neither could I." Cindy replied. "Stay awake." She hissed in Sapphire's ear. AS she raised her head, she found she was human. She glanced behind her and saw her best friend. "Jill!" she cried softly.
Turning back to Sapphire, she reared back, becoming a unicorn. Lightly, she touched his cheek with her horn and then his chest. Sephiroth and Jill walked up. ("It's not quiet anymore") Cindy thought to Jill, thought it seemed almost to herself.
Jill clambered onto Cindy's back as Seph picked up Sapphire's unconscious form.
Jill helped him position Sapphire on Cindy's back. Cindy watched them then saw
Diamond approaching her. "Where are you taking him?" He asked.
"To the Crossroads with us. He was meant to die here and cannot live in this dimension any longer. I'm sorry . . ." Cindy bowed her head, then looked at Jill. ("Isn't Diamond gonna die too?")
("Yeah . . .")
("Could you put a spell in a charm so he gets sent to the Crossroads right before he dies?")
("Sure can, I'll put a healing spell on it too.")
("Thanks,") Jill conjured a small charm on a chain. With imperceptible movements, she laid the spells into it, then handed it to Cindy.
Cindy lipped the thin chain and held it carefully. Stepping forward, she laid it gently in Diamonds outstretched hand. "What's this?"
"A guarantee that you'll see your brother again . . . We must go . . . Good bye, friends, I'm sorry we didn't visit longer." Cindy turned and walked through the dimensional doorway waiting for her. Seph walked beside her, helping steady Sapphire.
The doorway faded from sight, leaving no sign that the magicals had been there, save the necklace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dimensional doorway opened into the bottom floor of the WereDen. Seph led Cindy to the Guest bedroom and eased Sapphire onto the bed. Becoming human once more, Cindy turned to Jill. "Why hasn't he woke up?"
Jill used her magic to check Sapphire's injuries. "He's fine, he's just exhausted. He's asleep."
Day and night, Cindy sat at his side, not even Brian could move her. "Jill, you have to do something . . . she won't sleep or eat." Brian pleaded. "I'm worried about her."
"Seph and I will talk to her."
"Hey, Cinny." Cindy glanced at the door, Jill and Seph walked in. "Any change?"
"Mm mm . . . nope."
Jill laid a hand on Cindy's shoulder. "It's been two days, Cin, he's getting his rest, now it's time to get yours."
"No, I have to stay . . ."
"But, Cindy . . ."
"NO!"
Jill sighed. "All right, you leave me no choice . . ." she waved her hand in front of Cindy's face, ("Sleep")
Cindy's eyes fluttered, then she passed out. Seph carried her to her room and shut her in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
("Cindy, Diamond is here!")
Cindy sat up groggily, ("What?")
("Diamond's come, he's on his way to the Guest bedroom with the rest of us. Meet us there,)
("All right Jill") Cindy yawned and stretched, then rose and quickly brushed her hair before leaving her room.
Diamond was standing next to the bed when Cindy entered. "Brother, wake up, it's me . . . Diamond."
Slowly, Sapphire woke up. "Diamond, I thought Wiseman killed me."
"He almost did, me as well. These two young ladies saved us and gave us a beautiful place to live."
"Here?" Sapphire looked around.
"No, Jill says there's an empty village on the other side of the mountains for us to find homes in. She's going to supply us with horses and supplies to reach it."
Sapphire got out of the bed. "Why would they do that for us?"
"Because we can, and you deserve it after your changes of heart." Jill smiled and Cindy nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you very much for your kindness." Diamond called as his horse began the assent into the mountains.
"Our pleasure, Prince . . ." Jill called.
"Have a safe journey, both of you!" Cindy added.
They watched the men ride out of sight before Cindy spoke again. "Jill, how did you get our magic to work in the other dimension?"
"Sirius gave me a spell for it. Now our magic will work anywhere we go."
"Okay." the girls returned to the WereDen for another break from their adventures.
Chapter Three of the Crossroad Stories
A fire crackled merrily in the WereDen Library's fireplace. A black wolf was sprawled out in front of it, snoring faintly. Her head rested on a fat book. A young man sat at the table, pouring over gaming cards.
A girl entered, walked over to the wolf, and tweaked its tail, "Cindy, you're drooling on my book."
"Huh? . . . oh sorry." Cindy rose and stretched, returning to human form. "I'm bored." she yawned.
"Come on, let's go watch Sailor Moon . . . I got another tape."
"New eps?" Cindy asked hopefully.
"Yep."
"Oh goody!" Cindy leapt for the door, returning to wolfling form mid-leap. She paused, "Want to come, Brian?"
Her blue eyed beau looked up. "Nah, I'm building a new magic deck."
Jill thought to herself 'magic's more fun if you have the actual stuff' and smiled.
"Okay . . . don't forget to eat." Cindy said as Jill followed her into the entertainment room.
Cindy curled up on a bean bag while Jill popped the tape into the VCR. Jill settled down on the couch to enjoy the show.
The episodes were from the Sailor Moon R series. The girls watched the new shows with relish.
"Diamond is hot!" Jill murmured.
"Mmm-mm . . ." Cindy answered, "Doesn't Sapphire look like Darien?"
"Yeah . . . too bad they're bad guys."
"Saph's not anymore . . . look."
"Kewlness! Hey, they killed him!!!"
"That's not fair . . . as soon as he becomes a good guy."
"He wouldn't have to die if he were in the crossroads . . ." Jill hinted.
"That's an idea. Why don't we go there, visit the scouts . . ."
"And save Sapphire!" Jill finished. "Does it have enough magic?"
Cindy did a quick calculation in her head, "It should."
"Okay, lets go!" Jill traced the outline of a door, bowed to her friend, "After you."
Cindy trotted through the doorway, as she touched the sidewalk she felt her magic begin to ebb away. "I was wrong!" She howled and jumped at Jill.
Jill was halfway through the door when the black wolf slammed into her. The impact knocked her back into the WereDen and broke her concentration. The portal closed and there was silence.
After Cindy hit Jill she bounced back onto the sidewalk. She watched the doorway fade from sight and noticed a strange feeling she had.
It was hauntingly familiar, from her old life . . . it was silence in her head. No thoughts or emotions, other than her own. "Jill!" she tried to yell, all she heard was a sharp bark. 'I've lost my voice!' she thought, 'What kind of magic does this place have?'
"Here dog, nice dog." Malicious laughter came from behind her. She turned to face three rough-looking teenagers trying to corner her.
Cindy's fur bristled, her ears laid back. She bared her teeth in a snarl and stiffened her back and legs. A memory floated in her head, of her and Buffy playing. She always won against the dog because she was bigger, stronger, and more agile. She wasn't that now, but she was faster than the boys, she turned tail and ran. They began to chase her.
Cindy turned a corner and recognized Serena's favorite arcade across the street. She could see Darien out front talking to Andrew.
Horns blared as she flung herself into traffic. The screeching tires threw her into a panic. She could see Darien and Andrew watching the commotion. Darien was heading to the street, flagging the cars to stop.
She dashed to him, ignoring everything else, even a car that hadn't quite stopped. She ran right into it smashing her shoulder against the bumper.
The pain was indescribable, she could not put weight on that leg at all. Her wing, once folded invisibly in her fur, hung limp. Darien stooped to carefully pick her up, "Cindy?" She whined in reply.
"Andrew, I'll see you later . . . I'm going to take this girl to the vet."
"All right, hope she's okay."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seph walked into the entertainment room to find Jill picking herself up off the floor. "What happened?" He asked helping her up.
"I'm not sure . . . I guess there wasn't enough magic to support our powers in Sailor Moon's Dimension. Cindy knocked me back here so we wouldn't get trapped."
"So she's still there?"
Jill nodded, "I have to find a way to keep our powers there . . . so we can save Sapphire."
"Sapphire? Who's that?"
"A good guy . . . he's supposed to die there. Cindy and I didn't think it was fair."
"Mmm-hmm . . ."
"Jealous again Sephy-poo?" Jill looked at him slyly.
"Not really, you survived that Joe-person being here. Do you think Cindy's database would hold any useful information?"
"It might." Jill and Seph sat down in front of the computer and began to sort through Cindy's files.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What a strange animal." The vet repeated. He had said it so often Cindy began to tremble in paranoia.
Darien rubbed her ears to soothe her. "I know, I know." He sighed. "But is she okay?"
"She dislocated her shoulder and badly bruised the muscle. I'll fix her up and you two can be on your way. Unless you would like her to stay overnight . . ."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Soon they were on their way. White bandages stood out from Cindy's black fur as she limped alongside Darien. Her wolfish instincts sensed danger, everywhere.
"What are you doing here?" Cindy whined, then barked quickly and whined again. They walked to Darien's apartment building and go on the elevator. "Can't you talk?" Cindy shook her head and whined again.
Darien opened the door to his apartment, holding it so Cindy could slip inside.
Following her in, he flopped on the couch, and ran his fingers through his hair.
Cindy rested her head on his knee, the TV shows never showed him like this. His hand dropped down and began to scratch behind her ear. She sighed happily forgetting herself in the blissful feeling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You wouldn't have thought this database would be so disorganized!" Jill cried.
"Well, it probably makes sense to her."
Jill leaned against Seph, "But I'm not her, and she's not here to help me." She whined glancing at him, then at the computer screen. "GRR!!!" she growled and clawed at the screen.
Seph half-laughed, "What was that for?"
A sheepish look crossed Jill's face, "Cindy always does it, I was seeing if it would help."
Seph sighed, then began to rub Jill's ever tense shoulders. "Are there any better ways to do this?"
Jill leaned against him again and nuzzled his arm. Suddenly she sat straight up, "I just got a BRILLIANT idea!!!!"
"What?" He asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Walking to the center of the room, Jill drew a deep breath. "SIRIUS!" she yelled.
"Hmm, good idea."
The computer beeped and the screen began to flash. "Why's it doing that?" Jill wondered, walking over.
As she sat down, the e-mail server opened, "The Fubar???"
A new message appeared in the in-box, the subject was "You called?" from Sirius. Jill opened the message.
"Jill, obviously there are a few tricks that you don't know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien's hand fell, looking up Cindy saw he had fallen asleep. Standing up, she walked over to the balcony door and pushed it open with her nose. Once outside, she propped herself up against the rail and looked at the city below.
A huge black crystal marred the center of the city. 'He'll die soon, I must get to Sapphire before it's too late.' Glancing back into the apartment, she whined. 'But Darien must be exhausted, I can't wake him up.' Dropping down to all fours, she trotted back into the apartment and jumped onto the couch. She laid her head in Darien's lap and fell asleep.
Light was streaming in the windows when she awoke on the foot of Darien's bed.
He had carried her there in the night. He lay beside her, still in his clothes.
She stood and walked up to his face. She sniffed in his ear and licked his cheek. Still asleep, he brushed her away and she whined.
Darien rolled over and Cindy began to paw at his shoulder. He started to wake up and Cindy barked. "What? Oh . . . Cindy . . ."
She pawed his shoulder again, then ran to the door. Darien found her clawing the door. "Hey, stop, I'll let you out." He opened the door and she dashed out. "Cindy, wait!" He yelled but she was already gone.
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"Jill, where's Cindy? I thought you two were watching TV, then I heard you yell . . ." Brian walked in from the library.
Jill whirled around, then looked to the floor. "She's in Sailor Moon's Dimension." Jill replied innocently.
"Can't you bring her back?"
"I would if I could, but I can't . . ."
"Can't what?"
"Find her."
"YOU LOST MY GIRLFRIEND!?!"
"Um . . . Uh . . . maybe."
"We're working on it, Brian." Seph interrupted. "That's why Jill called Sirius, he's gonna give her the info she needs."
Jill nodded vigorously. "I'm going to sorceress school."
"Jill!" the screen flashed, she turned back to look at it. It glowed brightly, forcing Seph and Brian to look away.
Slowly the light faded, "Man, I wish school would've been that easy!" Jill muttered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cindy ran along the sidewalk, acknowledging the rest of the world only when crossing the streets. Ahead of her, she could see Catsy, Birdie, Prisma, and Avery. 'That means, Sapphire . . . YES! Across the street.' Cindy watched Sapphire stumble into the alley then turned to look at the sisters.
They hadn't seen him! They were supposed to have seen him, it's the way it was.
Barking frantically she ran up to them, begging them to follow her.
They hesitated, a black wolf does not instill trust in a person. 'Oh Lassie, where are you when I need you?' A few licks on the hand and rolling on her back twice finally gained their trust. They began to follow her.
She found Sapphire in the park, unconscious and badly hurt. She followed the sisters as they took Sapphire to their apartment.
After he woke up, Prisma went into the room alone to speak with him. Cindy knew he would leave soon and she must be with him. Already, her wolfish instincts sensed his change of heart.
With a whine, she pawed at the door to his room. "Shh!" Birdie scolded, "Leave them alone, what-ever-your-name-is, they need some time alone."
Cindy got an idea, quickly searching the apartment, she found a piece of paper and a pen. Clamping the pen tightly in her mouth, she placed a paw on the paper and began to write.
Catsy saw her first, "Hey, you guys, look!" The three sisters watched in surprise as Cindy struggled to write legibly . . .
I AM CINDY I MUST STAY WITH SAPPHIRE.
"Why?"
HE IS TO DIE I MUST SAVE HIM
"Can you do that? Are you able to save him?"
DON'T KNOW, MUST TRY, DON'T TELL HIM
Dropping the pen, Cindy scratched at Sapphire's door again, watching the sisters intently. Prisma opened the door from the inside, letting Cindy in. Cindy eased herself onto the bed as Sapphire watched her carefully.
"This is the dog that brought us to you." Cindy growled a bit at being called a dog, but lightly licked Sapphire's hand.
Sapphire patted her head, then fought to get to his feet. "I must get to Diamond before it's too late."
"Oh Sapphire, I don't want you to go . . . I'm afraid . . ." Cindy turned away, the scene was not hers to watch in person.
Sapphire went to the door and Cindy leapt from the bed, placing herself at his side. He opened the door and walked past the other sisters with Cindy at his eels. "Stay with them, dog." He ordered.
Birdie looked up. "Please let Cindy go with you, she want's to protect you."
Sapphire looked at her, then at Cindy and sighed. "All right, come on."
He sometimes leaned against her for support, as they walked along. Cindy was ready for anything though she knew the only threat would be Wiseman.
They turned the corner, meeting up with Wicked Lady.
"Rini!" Sailor Moon yelled as the Sailor Scouts appeared. Sailor Mars and Sailor
Jupiter took their places near Sapphire, covering him.
"Cindy? What are you doing here?" Sailor Jupiter asked. Cindy tried to answer, but without magic, only managed barks and whines. The girls stared at her in surprise then talked with Sapphire.
"You go help your friends, I must talk with my brother." He stumbled forward into the center of the street.
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Jill stood and walked past Brian, he murmured to her. "You're going to bring her back?"
With a grin, Jill nodded. She traced the outline of a doorway on the wall. The line shimmered and an opening of light appeared. Quickly she spoke another incantation and an aura of light surrounded her and faded. She sauntered over to Seph, "Be right back, Sephypoo." Jill gave him a quick kiss on the lips and turned away.
A look of pleasant surprise crossed Seph's face, then he followed her. "I'm coming with you . . ." Jill nodded, then stepped through the doorway with Seph at her heels.
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Cindy spotted Wiseman as he materialized behind Diamond, a snarl marred her face as she saw him. She prepared to attack . . . A blast of green light knocked her away. AS she tumbled across the pavement she could hear Sapphire's scream. 'NO!' she yelled, finding her feet. She launched herself at sapphire as Wiseman let off another blast. Again the green light knocked her away.
She rose again, Sapphire lay on the ground, sided by Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect him . . ." Darien spoke.
"Neither could I." Cindy replied. "Stay awake." She hissed in Sapphire's ear. AS she raised her head, she found she was human. She glanced behind her and saw her best friend. "Jill!" she cried softly.
Turning back to Sapphire, she reared back, becoming a unicorn. Lightly, she touched his cheek with her horn and then his chest. Sephiroth and Jill walked up. ("It's not quiet anymore") Cindy thought to Jill, thought it seemed almost to herself.
Jill clambered onto Cindy's back as Seph picked up Sapphire's unconscious form.
Jill helped him position Sapphire on Cindy's back. Cindy watched them then saw
Diamond approaching her. "Where are you taking him?" He asked.
"To the Crossroads with us. He was meant to die here and cannot live in this dimension any longer. I'm sorry . . ." Cindy bowed her head, then looked at Jill. ("Isn't Diamond gonna die too?")
("Yeah . . .")
("Could you put a spell in a charm so he gets sent to the Crossroads right before he dies?")
("Sure can, I'll put a healing spell on it too.")
("Thanks,") Jill conjured a small charm on a chain. With imperceptible movements, she laid the spells into it, then handed it to Cindy.
Cindy lipped the thin chain and held it carefully. Stepping forward, she laid it gently in Diamonds outstretched hand. "What's this?"
"A guarantee that you'll see your brother again . . . We must go . . . Good bye, friends, I'm sorry we didn't visit longer." Cindy turned and walked through the dimensional doorway waiting for her. Seph walked beside her, helping steady Sapphire.
The doorway faded from sight, leaving no sign that the magicals had been there, save the necklace.
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The dimensional doorway opened into the bottom floor of the WereDen. Seph led Cindy to the Guest bedroom and eased Sapphire onto the bed. Becoming human once more, Cindy turned to Jill. "Why hasn't he woke up?"
Jill used her magic to check Sapphire's injuries. "He's fine, he's just exhausted. He's asleep."
Day and night, Cindy sat at his side, not even Brian could move her. "Jill, you have to do something . . . she won't sleep or eat." Brian pleaded. "I'm worried about her."
"Seph and I will talk to her."
"Hey, Cinny." Cindy glanced at the door, Jill and Seph walked in. "Any change?"
"Mm mm . . . nope."
Jill laid a hand on Cindy's shoulder. "It's been two days, Cin, he's getting his rest, now it's time to get yours."
"No, I have to stay . . ."
"But, Cindy . . ."
"NO!"
Jill sighed. "All right, you leave me no choice . . ." she waved her hand in front of Cindy's face, ("Sleep")
Cindy's eyes fluttered, then she passed out. Seph carried her to her room and shut her in.
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("Cindy, Diamond is here!")
Cindy sat up groggily, ("What?")
("Diamond's come, he's on his way to the Guest bedroom with the rest of us. Meet us there,)
("All right Jill") Cindy yawned and stretched, then rose and quickly brushed her hair before leaving her room.
Diamond was standing next to the bed when Cindy entered. "Brother, wake up, it's me . . . Diamond."
Slowly, Sapphire woke up. "Diamond, I thought Wiseman killed me."
"He almost did, me as well. These two young ladies saved us and gave us a beautiful place to live."
"Here?" Sapphire looked around.
"No, Jill says there's an empty village on the other side of the mountains for us to find homes in. She's going to supply us with horses and supplies to reach it."
Sapphire got out of the bed. "Why would they do that for us?"
"Because we can, and you deserve it after your changes of heart." Jill smiled and Cindy nodded in agreement.
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"Thank you very much for your kindness." Diamond called as his horse began the assent into the mountains.
"Our pleasure, Prince . . ." Jill called.
"Have a safe journey, both of you!" Cindy added.
They watched the men ride out of sight before Cindy spoke again. "Jill, how did you get our magic to work in the other dimension?"
"Sirius gave me a spell for it. Now our magic will work anywhere we go."
"Okay." the girls returned to the WereDen for another break from their adventures.